Melissa Cotterman
Ms. Melissa began teaching ballet, tap, jazz and tumbling at Dance With Me Arts Academy in 2017. She was a recreational dancer as a young child, a competitive cheerleader for 10 years, and a gymnast for 4 years. Melissa has always had a passion for the arts, performing in musicals and playing piano for many years.
Melissa began coaching tumbling in 2005, and began dancing again as an adult in 2016. As a serious adult dancer, she focused primarily on ballet, pointe work, and learning how to write choreography. During her time at DWM, Melissa performed in several full length ballets.
Melissa spent 5 years as a costume director, and was the backstage manager in a handful of full length ballet productions.
Currently, Melissa dances for Tournesol Dance Studio in Rochester where she continues to learn and improve her own technique in order to become a better dancer, as well as a better teacher.
Melissa can be seen performing with the Rochester Adult Ballet Company in their annual production of Nightmare Before Christmas.
Melissa absolutely loves dancing and teaching dance. Ballet is a passion for her that only grows stronger with every year.
Melissa is very excited to continue her teaching journey at Trinity Performing Arts Studio!
Talmadge grew up in the Rochester, NY area and trained at various dance schools from kindergarten through high school. She has been dancing for over 20 years. After a long hiatus and being unable to find quality adult classes, she returned to dance in 2017. In 2019 she performed a full length production of the Nutcracker with the Wayne County Youth Ballet, in rolls as a party parent, Snow, and Waltz of the Flowers. She continues to still train in ballet locally at Tournesol Dance, where she has also worked as an instructor.
When she’s not dancing, Talmadge is a visual artist and holds a Master of Fine Arts degree from the Visual Studies Workshop in Rochester. She has been selected for artist residencies and her work has been shown in both local and national art shows and galleries.
Bri Shade has 5 years of competitive cheerleading experience and took tumbling and gymnastics classes for a year. Her cheerleading team won the Genesee Region League Division I title in 2015. Her primary interest is in Kpop dance, which she has been learning for about 5 years to present. Her goal is to share Kpop dance and music with others. She is so excited to begin her teaching journey with Trinity Performing Arts Studio!
Kellie Marino was born and raised in the Finger Lakes Region of Upstate NY. She is licensed in nail technology and taught the NYS Nail Technician program at Wayne Finger Lakes BOCES. As an entrepreneur, she went on to open her own full service salon and spa wellness center for several years. She loves all things artistic and has a strong background in teaching/dancing Argentine Tango. She is a writer, painter, archer, Taekwondo martial artist. She loves to garden, do pottery, sewing, and going to the gym. She has worked as a props Master for the past six years making, building, and acquiring props and stage materials. She has also helped with costumes and makeup. She brings with her a fondness for working with the actors and directors and making sure they have everything they need. She is excited to be joining Trinity Performing Arts Studio as administrative assistant/props master for musical theatre and being a part of their growing and advancing team.